UN General Assembly: A History of Notable Moments, Including Netanyahu's Embarrassment
The United Nations General Assembly, marking its 81st session in New York from September 22-28, has served for 80 years not only as a forum for global leaders but also as a stage for memorable and sometimes unusual incidents. These have ranged from sharp verbal confrontations and the presence of children to a "talking" dinosaur addressing climate change and collective walkouts during speeches, notably that of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu has faced repeated embarrassment since 2024, with numerous delegations leaving the hall during his addresses in protest of Israeli actions in Gaza. In the previous session, the hall was nearly empty as he spoke, highlighting Israel's perceived isolation. With the current session underway, attention is focused on his reception, especially given an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated Netanyahu should be arrested but that city authorities lack the power to enforce it. Reports also suggested Netanyahu shortened his visit and avoided staying overnight in New York due to potential protests and his inability to secure a meeting with then-President Donald Trump.
Throughout its history, the General Assembly has witnessed other striking moments. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev reportedly banged his shoe on a table in 1960 during a speech by the Philippine representative. The gavel gifted by Iceland in 1960 broke during an attempt by Irish diplomat Frederick Boland to calm Khrushchev. In the same year, Cuba's Fidel Castro delivered the longest speech on record, lasting 4 hours and 29 minutes, far exceeding the typical 15-minute limit.
More recently, in 2018, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern brought her three-month-old daughter to a meeting, with the baby bearing a "First Baby" ID. In 2021, the UN Development Programme aired a video of a dinosaur named "Frankie" warning against fossil fuel dependency and global warming. In 2024, Haiti's Transitional Council President Edgard Leblanc Fils drew attention when he spilled water on himself while attempting to drink directly from a pitcher.
Other notable incidents include former Ugandan President Idi Amin comparing former British Prime Minister Edward Heath to Adolf Hitler in 1972, and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez calling then-U.S. President George W. Bush "the devil" in 2006. In 2018, Donald Trump's speech was met with laughter, to which he responded, "It was not the reaction I expected."
